Dorothy Winona Carpenter

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Dorothy Winona Carpenter, 94, of 222 South Fifth Street, Marquette, formerly of Ironwood, died Tuesday, July 26, 2016.

Dorothy was born Aug. 1, 1921, in Washburn, Wis. She was a daughter to the late Frederick and Elsie (Cordts) Sanger. Dorothy graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood with the class of 1940.

She married Samuel Leonard Carpenter on Dec. 28, 1945, and they set about establishing a family home in Ironwood. Dorothy was employed by Brookfield Dairy, Sears Roebuck and Company and the Ironwood Daily Globe. In 1991, she retired from the Daily Globe at the age of 70. After retirement, Dorothy joined the Grand View Hospital Auxiliary where she spent numerous volunteer hours working in the hospital's Gift Shop. Because of her enjoyment in this position she volunteered for 20 years and retired from the Gift Shop at age 90.

During her lifetime, Dorothy was active in the Ironwood Area PTA, the SNO Drifters Snowmobile Club, the Ironwood Women's and Professional Women's Club. Dorothy was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church for 50 years where she held numerous positions. In 2012, Dorothy relocated to the Marquette area to be closer to her family. In Marquette, she continued her love of volunteerism by gathering food for the Warming Center and clothing for the Free Store.

During her four short years in Marquette, she gained many dear friendships through the card games held at Snowberry Heights. Dorothy was also an active member of the Grace United Methodist Church. Although volunteerism was extremely important to Dorothy, the loves of her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She traveled and traversed the Upper Peninsula, cheering on her granddaughters in high school sporting events. Age would not slow her down as she continued to enjoy school activities of her great grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by two daughters, Debbie (Bill) Kimmes of Marquette, and Donna (Mike) King of Las Vegas; two granddaughters, Jill Burbey of Marquette, and Kimberly (Aaron) Slezak of Green Bay, Wis .; three great-grandchildren, Justin and Ryan Burbey, and Chloe Slezak; along with several nieces, nephews and friends.

Besides her husband and parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by brothers, Winton, Fred and Ralph; sister, Betty Sanger; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Jim Wicklund; and mother-in-law, Jennie Carpenter.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Snowberry Heights Community Room, Marquette, on Monday, Aug. 1, (which would have been Dorothy's 95th birthday) beginning at 12:30 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1 p.m. The Rev. David VanKley will officiate. Refreshments will follow.

Services in Ironwood will be held at Ironwood Wesley United Methodist Church, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, with the family receiving relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m. Pastor, Rev. Rosemary DeHut and former pastor, Rev. Jean Recontre will officiate. A reception will follow. Inurnment will be at Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com.

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.